Archive | Celebrate Winter

Such a gloomy winter we have had–brown grass and gray skies. But look what just a light dusting of snow will do: Bluff Spring Fen, Elgin 1/16/07 The large trees are Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa), while the smaller trees are Hill’s Oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis). A red oak, it has pointed bristled-tipped glossy green leaves that […]

During winter the winds come in crisp and invigorating from across the prairies. At this season of the year the landscape assumes a dreary look to many who do not understand. But to others, when the gray arms of the cottonwood are illuminated by the January sun and silhouetted against the blue sky, when sleeping […]

A robin! Robins are back! Spring is here! Well, not exactly, even if we are going to have spring-like weather this coming week. We assume that all robins fly south in the fall, but some linger here all winter, particularly the males. (They want to be the first ones here in the spring to claim […]

During winter the winds come in crisp and invigorating from across the prairies. At this season of the year the landscape assumes a dreary look to many who do not understand. But to others, when the gray arms of the cottonwood are illuminated by the January sun and silhouetted against the blue sky, when sleeping […]

More Winter Interest Persistent Leaves Some deciduous trees (mostly oaks) hang on to their brown crackly leaves all winter, not dropping them until spring. 12/27/2010 Lord’s Park Lagoon. White Oak (Quercus alba) hangs unto its leaves through the winter when it is young, but as it ages, the leaves fall off in autumn. […]

Snow Catchers Snow transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. Dull landscapes turn into breathtaking splendors and, trite though it sounds, into a winter wonderland. Plant horizontally branched trees and shrubs to catch the snow and hold it aloft until it melts. Bur and White Oaks with their burly outstretched arms do it best; their open […]